Lessons From An Ass

I know… I know… this must have seemed like a pretty unbelievable way to introduce you to this article, but you’ve made it this far! So go ahead…keep reading!

Recently, I was watching an old western with John Wayne (boy I really liked him!). In the movie, John Wayne played the much-anticipated Texas Ranger commissioned by the law to round up the lawbreakers of the day. In his filthy white shirt and cowboy hat, Wayne’s character heads out on horseback to gather the hoodlums and return justice to the land. Just about the time he wrangled the low balling thieving gamblers up, one of the players speaks up.

“What you going to do with me, mister?” he asked. Wayne in his cool confident voice said, “I’m taking you back where you belong…jail!” The man unsatisfied with his response says, “How do we know you ain’t going to kill us?” Wayne pausing with intent leans over to him and says the most profound statement, “Because I said I ain’t!”

Now you may have just thought, “How can that be statement be so profound?” For me it was so profound because it was enough to get his point across! The statement stood alone. John Wayne didn’t have to convince anyone, a thief or a friend, that his word was true. If he said it, then he meant what he said!
Unfortunately in our society today, we have long forgotten the old western films and the no nonsense way of justice. I’m not suggesting we return there, but I am suggesting that we once again captivate our lives with living truth and walk out the true meaning of being a Christian. When people use the word Christian today, sometimes you have to hold a 30 minute conversation with some of them just to see what they really mean!

In the Gospels and John, there is an account of a familiar story commonly referred to as the triumphal entry. This was the place Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem on an ass. Many scholars and writers have written their own interpretations of this passage of scripture; but for me, I just want to focus on the donkey. The donkey Jesus rode was nothing more than a donkey…no special powers or profound wisdom…just a donkey. But I believe this is paramount to truly living out who we are and living a purposeful life that becomes powerful!

I believe that through this donkey, we can learn to stay where God has us, be careful of the voices we allow in our lives, and learn to walk in complete submission and humility before God.

Lesson #1: Stay Put!

In Mark 11:1-2, Mark writes about Jesus sending two disciples to find a donkey tied to a post near a door or gate.

You must stay where God has positioned you no matter where God has planted your feet and who he has tied you to! This donkey’s role was so vital in the Kingdom that even Zechariah prophesied his very purpose. Zech 9:9 says, “Behold a King is coming…riding on a donkey.” Jesus knew that day that this particular donkey would be at this particular place for a particular purpose.

Sometimes if we are not careful, we could be like wild asses and only see the doorpost of what we’re tied to. We begin to say things like, “This is just a door.” “This can’t get me anywhere in the Kingdom; it’s just a post.” For us today, it would sound more like this. “This is just a small church. What can we do?” Or “I am married to someone who could care less about the things of the Kingdom.” Wherever you fit in these categories, remember the donkey had to stay where it was tied. Jesus instructs us in the same manner.
Many times, God tries to weed out our unrighteous ambitions. He puts us in places that we really don’t understand or appreciate, and sometimes it looks more like a hindrance than a benefit. But…if you will remain faithful in your place, God will see that every word spoken over you (just like in Zechariah) is fulfilled.

Lesson #2: Be Careful About Who Leads You!

Mark 11:2 says, “and said to them, ‘Go into the village opposite you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, on which no one yet has ever sat; untie it and bring it here.’”

This donkey chosen by Jesus didn’t have any other rider or many masters…it knew no other rider than for whom it had been chosen. My father was a horse trainer for several years, and I remember him discussing the benefits of training a horse that had no other masters before him. When a horse has too many voices, they don’t know who to listen to! People are much like the horse with too many voices! We cannot allow voices to speak and guide us outside of our purpose.

What would happen if the believer would get a revelation that Jesus is coming to town wanting to ride upon you and use you to escort the presence of God to change the world forever? We must understand that God desires to use us, but just like the donkey he chose, he wants us to be available to no other voice but His and willing to be led by Him alone.

Lesson #3: Show Jesus, Not YOU!

Mark 11: 8-10, “And many spread their coats in the road, and others spread leafy branches which they had cut from the fields. Those who went in front and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD; Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David; Hosanna in the highest!”

Sometimes in the midst of us being chosen by God (just like this donkey) we lose sight of who we are in the sight of who He is. In these scriptures, Mark writes how people began to place clothing before the feet of the donkey and palm branches were spread to honor Jesus’ arrival. I am sure that this was the first time ever in this donkey’s life that palm branches were spread before his hooves or the first time anyone ever paid attention to where he was headed. But the significance is though this donkey was experiencing the same level of honor as Jesus riding him…it was all to the glory of the King of Kings not to the glory of the donkey!

For you and me, it is important to remember that Jesus desires to use us to radically impact the world for Him. We cannot lose sight our purpose to change the world for JESUS! I remember reading a story where someone once asked Kathryn Kuhlman, who had one of the most well-known healing ministries of her day, what she did if when she laid hands on someone and they were not instantly healed. Her response was, “I say, ‘Next!’” Why? Because she understood her role, she was just like the donkey that day that was experiencing incredible miracles…but not to the glory of herself but to the glory of God alone!